Red Oak (Native deciduous) - Quercus rubra Beautiful large tree, excellent for landscape use and timer. Prefers sand/loam soils, with a well to moderate drainage. Red Oaks should be planted in a full sun to partial shade environment. Squirrels and wild turkeys are attracted to the acorns. Can grow up to 24 meters.“Looking forward, it is thought that Red Oak may be a good candidate in the battle against climate change as it is the hearty nature of this tree’s ability to establish, grow and thrive in harsher conditions that could make this species well suited in our forests with ever increasing temperature regimes. It will also be an important species to counteract the devastating impacts of the Beech Bark Disease currently killing our American beech in the Parry Sound/Muskoka area, as Red Oak is considered second to American beech in terms of importance as a mast species for wildlife such as deer and bear.”

White Pine (Native evergreen) - Pinus strobus This is a rapid growing tree with wide spreading lateral roots and is an important nesting and perching tree. This tree achieves a maximum height of 30 meters in dry or moist conditions. A shore stabilization tree, it requires a sunny or part-shade environment.

White Spruce (Native evergreen) - Picea Glauca White Spruce grow on a variety of soils under a wide range of conditions. This includes moist or wet conditions in the sun or part-sun. It can be used for shore stabilization. Needles are short and light green in colour. Excellent for Christmas trees, windbreaks and landscape. They can grow up to 24 meters.

Canadian Hemlock (Native evergreen) - Tsuga canadensis Short light green needles. Likes moist soils, and grows in sun and is shade tolerant. One of the most beautiful evergreens. Can grow to 70’ or pruned to 12’.

Red Osier Dogwood (Native deciduous shrub) - Cornus sericea Noted for its red branches, great background with snow. Produces small white flowers and white berries. Should be planted in a dry to moist sand/loam/clay soil; full sun to partial shade. Red osier dogwoods can grow up to 3 meters and are excellent for erosion control.

American Elderberry (Native deciduous shrub) - Sambucus canadenis Very popular for wildlife and shelterbelts. Prefers moist soils. Fruit is very popular for jams, jellies and wine. Fruit is also attractive to birds.

Ostrich Fern (Native perennials) This fern is deer resistant, and should be planted in a moist sand/slit soil, with partial shade/sun exposure. It strives along streams and riverbanks and in moist forested sites.

The 125th MLA Aquatic Regatta will be on Saturday, August 4, 2018 at the Muskoka Lakes Golf & Country Club.

For more information, contact the MLA office at (705) 765-5723.

Thank you to everyone who came out in support of the 124th Aquatic Regatta held on Saturday August 5, 2017!

The Annual MLA Regatta, the oldest continuously run co-ed regatta in North America, maintains a tradition of family, fun, and aquatic competition on the Saturday of the Civic Holiday weekend.

Despite years with steady or occasional downpours the regatta always has a great turn out. The regatta is a wonderful way for families to participate together in rowing, paddling and swimming events.

The regatta wouldn’t be possible without the generous hospitality of the Muskoka Lakes Golf & Country Club on Lake Rosseau, the generous sponsors, and the many volunteers. Thanks to the assistance of all of the staff at the club, and the use of the wonderful facilities.

Last, but certainly not least, to the many individuals who donate time to plan, lend a hand on the day, and donate materials to make the day a huge success.

Interested in volunteering?

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Curvaceous

One of the defining characteristics of Muskoka Built Boats is their shape, their curves. All boats have curves, but Muskoka’s boats have bold dramatic curves. This summer we will celebrate those curves at the MLA Antique Boat Show, August 13, 2016. The theme of the show will be “Curvaceous” and will feature 72 antique boats that illustrate the theme.

The golden age of boat building in Muskoka started at the beginning of the 1900’s when the gasoline engine became available and popular. The combination of wealthy customers, water, and abundant talented labour insured that boats would be built. The curvaceous component ironically came from the greatest Naval Architects that the United States had to offer; Burt Hawker, John Hacker and Douglas Van Patten to name a few.

Perhaps the ultimate in curvaceousness was achieved with Greavette’s line of ‘Steamliners’ and ‘Shearliners’. This year’s theme boat is Curlew: a 1937 double-ended Greavette Streamliner designed by John Hacker. Curlew is currently owned by Murray Walker.

The MLA Boat Show brings together fine surviving examples of the wooden boats built and used in Muskoka by those who went before us. These wooden boats maintained and are cared for as never before. The current owners of these unique craft will be at the show and they love to tell the history and stories of their boats. With luck and love, these boats live on to tell their stories for many generations.

The MLA Antique Boat Show is a bi-annual event held in Port Carling. It was started by the late Bob Purves to honour boats that have been built in Muskoka, or have spent most of their life in Muskoka Waters.

This year also features demonstrations of Sea Fleas to stir youthful imaginations and a display of vintage outboard motors provided by the Maple Leaf Outboard Club. Mark Saturday, August 13 in your calendar, come out, and enjoy a day with these fine craft and their owners. The show runs from 10AM to 4 PM and admission is free.

Our next Antique Boat Show will be held in 2018.

Stay tuned!

Port Carling Locks & Bartleman Island

Free admission

Everyone welcome!

The 2017 MLA Mixed Bonspiel will be held on Friday, February 3 & Saturday, February 4, 2017 at the South Muskoka Curling & Golfing Club.

MLA Sailing Regattas

MLA Muskoka Inter-Club

MLA Open Fleet Regatta

MLA Muskoka Laser Regatta

When: To be determined

For more information:

Barbara Triskan - (705) 687-5609

MLA office - (705) - 765-5723

MLA Seminars

Come join us and meet with speaker Chris Cragg, Muskoka Lakes Association’s Chair of the Water Quality and Environment Committee and member of the Water Level Task Force, to learn about water level management in Muskoka. We’ll also explore tips about how to protect your cottage from flooding.

Get a close encounter with live reptiles! Come meet the Saving Turtles At Risk Today (START) team and learn everything there is to know about turtles. This is a family friendly presentation, with a chance to handle animals.

What to do in case of…? Join our panel of experts to learn and get ready for emergencies in cottage country. We will have the Fire Department, the Paramedic Services and the Emergency Planning all together; the three presentations will be followed by a Q & A session.

2016 MLA Seminars

Keeping the cottage in the family isn’t always easy. We will be addressing many issues from how the taxes will be paid, how best to transfer ownership and how to ensure that family harmony is maintained as the property gets passed down.

Join Steve Munro from Westwind Forest Stewardship as he talks about how you can prepare your property and your trees for the changing climate. He will also discuss some best practices for backlot maintenance.

Climate is changing in Muskoka just as it is changing elsewhere, and we are powerless to alter the trajectory by taking local action. Instead, we must adapt to the changes coming, while supporting the global actions that need to take place if we are to avert truly serious changes in climate later in this century. To adapt effectively, we must plan ahead and be proactive.

Dr. Sale will talk about the likely mid-century climate and how it is likely to impact our lives. He will explain why careful planning and action are needed by individuals as well as by government, and how we might act to retain the special environment we all value highly.